Chocolate-coating machine.



No. 843,300. PATENTED FEB. 5, 1907. H. C. REMMERS.

CHOCOLATE COATING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED 0CT.24, 1906.'

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

No. 843,300. PATHN'I'HD IEB. 5, 1907. H. C. REMIVIEBS.

CHOCOLATE COATING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED 00T.24,1906.

n d l m s @Y 5 a k MJ mi UNITED STATES PATENT oPPIcE.

y No. 843,300.

vSpecification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 5, 1907.

Application filed October 24. 1908. Serial No. 840.351.

To all whom it muy concern.'

Be it known that I, HARRY C. REMMERS, a citizen of the United States, residing in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, have invented certain Improvements in Chocolate-Coating Machines, of which the following is a specification.

One object of my invention is to rovide a machine in which candies may be ipped in chocolate or other coating material, knocked off, and. discharged from their containingtrays, the construction of the machine being such that it shall not only be relatively inexpensive to make and operate, but shall also have its parts so arranged that it may be economically employed by candy manufacturers who have not sufficient business to warrant the use of a larger power-operated machine.

I further desire to provide a machine of the character described with an improved knocking-off mechanism, as well as with means whereby a portion of the products of combustion resulting from the necessary heating of the chocolate-kettle may be utilized to melt the chocolate adhering to the tray-dipping device or carrier.

I further desire to provide an imruoved device for facilitating the discharge of candies from their supporting-baskets after they have been dipped and knocked oi.

These objects and other advantageous ends I secure as hereinafter-set forth, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in Which- Figure l is a side elevation of my improved machine. Fig. 2 is aplan of the machine shown in Fig. 1, illustrating a basket in the position occupied immediately after a charge of candy has been taken from it. Fig. 3 is an end elevation of my improved machine. Fig. 4 is a vertical section on the line 4 4, Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a vertical section on the line 5 5, Fig. 2. Fig. 6 is a fragmentary vertical section illustrating in detail the actuating means for the knocking-0H device. Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the basket-carrying device, and Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the agitator or stirrer for the chocolate-kettle.

In the above drawings, A represents a supporting structure somewhat of the nature of a table, on which there is a fixed casing having tWo compartments B and B', separated from each other by means of a vertical partition b. In the iirst of these compartments I mount a chocolate container or kettle, which preferabl consists of a Water-container C, usually o cast-iron, Within which is suspended, preferably by its flanged upper edges, the kettle proper, c.

A Water-supply pipe c extends through the side of the compartment B and connects with the interior of the water-container C, which has an outlet or overflow pipe c, leading downwardly from its uppermost portion to the bottom of the tting c3. This fitting is constructed for the reception of a thermometer c, and from it." uppermost portion there extends a continuation c5 of the outlet-pipe. For the pur ose of completely draining the water from t e container C, I provide an additional pipe c, having a valve c7 connected to the outlet-pipe, as shown in Fig. 3.

'Ihe container C is carried within its compartment of the casing upon legs cs, so that 1t is elevated some distance above the floor thereof, and for the purpose of heating the said container I provide a burner DLextending under it, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5, supplied with the necessary gas and air through a pipe d and the necessary controlling-valves. 'l his pipe also extends to the compartment B of the casing, in which it is connected to a burner D for heating candy-baskets, supported in the manner hereinafter described.

In Fig. 4 it will be seen that the rear side of the compartment B is omitted, and there is in its place a conduit B2, 'consisting of a cover or top section b', inclined toward and leading into the chocolate-kettle c, a bottom section b2, and the necessary sides, the whole forming an outlet for the products of combustion from the burner D and being open at its upper end. As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, theinclined cover of this conduit is provided with upwardly-projecting sides b3 and has extendlng across its lower portion a Wire forming a stop b4, so that a basket-carrier, such as is indicated at E, Fig. 7, may be held from sliding 0H the inclined surface.

As shawn in the machine illustrated inthe drawings, the chocolate-kettle c is substantially rectangular in outline and has extending along the edges of and above two of its opposite sides a pair of sprocket-chains f, each of which passes over sprocket-wheelsf and f 2, carried on suitable spindles at or adjacent to the corners of the kettle. For su porting the wheel-spindles I provide brac ets f3, mounted upon the upper part of the casing and having the necessary bearings. 'Ihe two sprocket-wheels f2 have a common IOO IIO

spindle f to which they are b oth fixed and n hich may be turned when desired by means of a crankhandle f ,5.

Each of the sprocket-chains f has a frame G resting upon and to some extent mcloslng it, there being pins g extending across the interior of each frame at each end .thereof and resting directly in engagement with sald chains. As shown in Fig. 2, each of the frames G has near its rear ends a lug g', projecting toward or over the chocolate-kettle, vihile at the front ends there are upwardlyextending forks g2. Said frames have extensions g3,A preferably of such a length that their respective outer ends are the same dlstance from the forks g2 as are the lugs g', and each extension carries an upwardly-extending lug g", Whose upper surface is preferably at the same level as the bottom of the fork g2 and the top of the lug g.

The to of the second compartment B is open, an over it I support a pan H 1n such manner that there is a space between the upper edge of the casing and the pan sufficient to permit of the escape of the products of combustion arising from the burner D. Within said compartment I provide a framework h, having shelves h for the reception of candy-baskets, and under said shelves I place a removable drawer h2, so as to collect particles of chocolate which may be melted and drop from the basket carried by the shelves;

In order to permit of the convenient insertion and remoyal of candy-baskets without material loss of heat. I provide aseries of overlapping doors, respctively, in front of the shelves in compartment B. Each door is carried on a horizontal bar, attached to its upper edge and serving as a hinge, and in order to open the doors when it is desired to take out a basket for use I provide each of .them with an outwardly-extending wire h5, preferably formed by a continuation of the hinge-wire. rIhis when turned downwardly swings the door inwardly and when released permits said door to return to its vertical closed position under the action of gravity. I rovide a glass-covered door b9 in the front o the compartment B in order to render visible the burner D, which, as illustrated, is preferably hung from the bottom of the watercontainer C.

Under operating conditions chocolate in the kettle c is kept melted and at any desired temperature by means of the hot water within the container C, and the temperature of said water may be noted on the thermometer, which is so placed as to be acted u on by the water constantly overiowing om the container through the pipe c2 and the itting c3. In this vconnection it may be noted that the fitting is so madethat there is always a fixed depth of water in it, owing to the factthat the outlet c5 is taken ofi at alevel above the inlet of the pipe c2.

' In order to dip a basket containing candies to be coated into the chocolate-kettle, I provide a basket-carrier, such as that shown when 1t is placed over a iilled candy-basket and lowered with it into the chocolate-kettle the candies cannot be fioated out of thelr various compartments in the basket, but are in place by said screen e. 'The carrierl ke t E has handles e2, pivoted to lugs es, rigidly connected to the sides of its framee, and these handles have portions e4 bent toward each other and extending below said frame for engaging and holding a candy-basket.

When it is desired to lift a basket, the carrier E is placed over it, the handles e2 being first turned` on their pivots toward each other, so as to swing outwardly the portion e". Said handles are then moved on their pivots in the opposite direction into the positions shown in Fig. 7, thereby causing their portions e4 to engage the side members of the basket, after which the whole may be lifted and immersed in the melted chocolate. Each basket has at or near its corners pins i, and i', and after coating it is placed on the two frames G over the chocolate-kettle, with its pins 'i' resting onthe lugs g and its pins i resting, respectivel in the forks g2. turning the orang-handle the sprocketchains are then caused to move, and the large ends of the links of said chains successively come in contact with the pins g of the frames G, thereby imparting to said frames and to the candy-basketcarried thereby a serieseof vibratory movements and very IOO effectually knocking 0H the surplus chocolate still adhering to the candies and to the basket.

When the knocking-oft' operation has been completed, a sheet or tray is placed over the can y-basket, and this is revolvedupon its pivot-pins i as an axis through an arc of substantially one hundred and eighty degrees until its pins i rest upon the lugs g of the extensions 93 of the frames G in the position illustrated in Fig. 2. If this act of turning the basket upside down is not sui'licient to cause the candies therein to fall4 upon the sheet or tray, a slight movement of the crankhandle will accomplish their quick discharge,l

since there is thus imparted to the frames G a succession of quick jars or knocks. After the basket has been placed upon the frames G preparatory tothe knocking-0H operation the basket-carrier is placed upon the inclined top surface of the conduit b2, and inasmuch as this is maintained at a relatively high temperature by reason of the passage under it of the products of combustion from the burner D the adhering chocolate is quickly melted off vand led back into the kettle c. 1

As will be understood by those skilled in the art, it is not desirable to dip into the IIO melted chocolate a basket Which is cold, and I therefore as soon as a charge of candies has been delivered from a basket place this latter on one of the shelves h in the compartment B', Where it is not only heated and maintained at a temperature ready for dipping, but has the surplus chocolate melted from it. Said chocolate is collected in the drawer h2, Which from time to time is removed and emptied into the chocolate-kettle. While the baskets are being charged with candies they are preferably supported on the pan H, which is maintained at a suitable temperature by the products of combustion passing out of the compartment B.

It will be understood that from time to time it is necessary to stir or agitate the chocolate in the kettle c, and in order to pro erly accomplish this without linterfering wit theA knocking-off mechanism illustrated I provide astirrer of the form shown in Figs. 4 and 8. Said stirrer consists of a perforated plate K, having handles k attached to the ends of its upper edge and extending at right angles to its general plane, so that when in use the body of the stirrer is substantially vertical and the handles extendhorizontally therefrom over the top edge of the kettle. When in this position, said handles may be readily grasped and the stirrer moved back and forth within the kettle without in any Way interfering with the knocking-0H mechanism or with a candy-basket supported thereon.

I claim as my invention- 1. A chocolate-coating machine consisting of a casing, a chocolate-kettle therein, means in the casing for heatingsaid kettle, and a conduit for heated ases leading from the casing having an in ined cover constructed to deliver material thereon into the chocolate-kettle, substantially as described.

2. The combination in a chocolate-coating machine, of a casing having a chocolate-kettle, means for heating the same, a conduit for hot gases connected to the casing, the upper portion of the conduit being inclined toward and leading into the chocolate-kettle, with upwardly-extending side portions for the top o said conduit placed to assist in directing material thereon into the kettle, substantially as described.

3. A chocolate-coating machine consisting of a kettle, means for heating the same, and knocking-off mechanism sup orted over said kettle, the same consisting o means for supporting a basket, a chain or chains placed to intermittently vibrate said supporting me ans, and meansfor moving the chain or chains, substantially as described.

4. The combination in a chocolate-coating machine, of a kettle, means for heating the same, frames extending above the kettle at opposite sides thereof, chains for the frames, a projection on each frame placed to be interchocolate-kett e mittentl en aged by a chain when the latter is move an means for actuating the chains to vibrate the frames and the candy-baskets supported thereby,l substantially as described.

5. The combination in a chocolate-coating machine, of a kettle 'havin heating means, basket-supporting means, earings on said supporting means, a device for vibrating the supporting means, and a candy-basket having pivots placed to enter said bearings so as to permit said basket to be turned through an are of substantially one hundred and eighty degrees, substantially as described.

6. The combination in a chocolate-coating machine, of a kettle, means for heating the same, a basket-supporting device over the kettle having means whereby it may be vibrated, a candy-basket supported over the chocolate-kettle provided w1th pivots, bearings on the supporting device for the reception of said pivots, said device beinglextended to support the basket when it as been turned on its pivots throu h an arc of substantially one hundred ancgl eighty degrees, substantially as described.

7. A chocolate-coating machine consisting of a casing, a kettle therein having heating means, a conduit for the products of combustion from said heating means arranged to heat a basket-carrier, said conduit being eX- tended from one side of the machine, a basket-sup orting device projecting from the opposite side of said machine, and means for vlbrating said device," substantially as described.

8. A chocolate-coating machine consisting of a kettle havin@` heating means, two airs of sprocket-wheels supported above an adjacent to the sides of said kettle, a sprocketchain connecting each pair of said wheels, means for moving the chains, a frame having a projection resting upon each of the chains and free to be vibrated by said chains,and means on the frame for supporting a candybasket, substantially as described.

IOO

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9. A chocolate-coating machine consisting of a kettle having heating means, two airs of sprocket-wheels `supported above an adjacent to the sides of said kettle, a sprocketchain connecting each pair of said wheels, means for moving the chains, two frames, each having a portion resting upon one of the chains, and means on the frames for supporting a candy-basket, said frames being constructed to su 'port Aa basket both over` the l) and also when said basket has been turned through substantially one hundred and eighty degrees from such position, substantially as described.

10. The combination in a chocolate-coating machine, of a kettle, heating means there-v same consisting of a screen having handles lframe having a screen formed to be placed 'over the basket to confine thel candies therein, handles pvoted to said frame and'movable toward and from each other, said handles having extensions placed to engage a candybasket and hold the frame thereto, While the same is being dipped in the kettle, 'substantially as described.

12. The combination in a chocolate-coating machine, of a kettle, means for heating the same, 'means for knocking oi surplus chocolate from a basket containing coated candies, supporting means for the basket constructed to permit of it being turned over to discharge the candies, with a device for saaejco vibrating the basket when it is in its inverted position to cause the discharge of candies therefrom and also when it is in its normal position, substantially as described.

means for vibrating the said basket-supporting structures, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I havesigned my name to this specication in the presence of two subscribing Witnesses. ,.f l

HARRY C. REMMERS.

Witnesses: l

E. R. LOUGHERY, Jos. H. KLEIN. v 

